IDFA recently joined the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, a national group of more than 500 associations and organizations that have joined together to protect a worker’s right to a private ballot when deciding whether or not to join a union. Many on Capitol Hill expect the chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor, Representative George Miller (D-CA), to act soon to reintroduce a bill that would force these votes to become public.

Under the proposed Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), commonly known as the "card check" bill, a union would automatically be recognized if a majority of workers simply sign a card. The signatures on these cards would be made public to employers, union organizers and co-workers, depriving employees of the right to keep their votes private.

The House passed a card check bill in 2007, but it remained nine votes short of passing in the U.S. Senate. With the Democratic gains in the Senate in the 2008 election cycle, support for this legislation has increased, and proponents are close to gathering the 60 votes needed to end debate on the bill. The president has indicated he will sign the card check legislation if it is passed by Congress.

IDFA members may take action against the card check bill by visiting www.dairycounts.org. For more information and a list of coalition members, visit www.MyPrivateBallot.com.